November 2005

Medical hell and chiropractic heaven

This month's column is by Dr. Ben Lerner

I had the good fortune to be invited to the strategic planning session at the Global Pastors Church Planting Congress. Sitting to my left was the pastor of the largest church in Europe and to my right was the president of Campus Crusade, the largest para‑church organization in the world, employing more than 26,000 people with an annual budget of $550,000,000 ... and they weren't even the big guys. Each person in the room represented something huge that was going on in some corner of the world. India, Fiji, Africa, Russia, England, Ukraine, Israel, New Zealand, China, and some other countries that I hadn't heard of were all there and working with millions each.

Then there was the chiropractic delegate ‑‑ me. As a co‑leader of one of the larger groups in chiropractic, I represented so little I dared not mention. During the meeting I took copious notes on what these great world leaders had to say. Where did such massive success come from ‑‑ particularly in parts of the world that are violently and politically opposed to what they are doing? Certainly encountering much, much greater resistance to success then anything we chiropractors face.

When you look at the incredible disparity between our success as a profession and as the vast majority of the individuals in our profession compared to other occupations ‑‑ whether in similar and different industries, and these large ministries it's very scary. If we were a football coach, we'd be fired and if we were back in Middle School we'd be considered losers with a capital "L." A seventh‑grade vegetarian who plays second flute in the band would kick our collective butts.

Some key reasons for our substantial lack of success:

1. Incredibly limited vision. While drug companies, hospitals, ministries, corporations, etc. look for strategic ways to reach regions, worlds, and nations, we quibble over who's got the right philosophy, the best technique, and why people don't like us. The only strategies I've seen are those that seek to attack some opposing element of the profession rather than attack a sick and suffering world with the benefits of our care ‑‑ no matter how different that care may be from doctor to doctor.

2. Outrageously limited purpose. In ministry, they passionately and zealously work to stop people from going to hell ‑‑ whether people believe in hell or not. They know in their heart of hearts that if they don't get up in the morning and do their job, people perish for all eternity.

There is a hell on earth, too. Subluxations, unnecessary prescription drugs and surgery (any drug or surgery that could be replaced with an adjustment or lifestyle change), poor lifestyle, and all of the suffering they bring cause billions to experience hell on earth. There is a virtual heaven you create as a chiropractor, yet most are unwilling to expand their purpose beyond their level of comfort or limited vision.

3. The worst case of professional cannibalism in the world. Like chiropractic, medicine has boards and associations. However, these medical governing bodies are in place for the perpetuation of the medical mission and to impose its will on earth as the all‑powerful health monarchy.

In chiropractic, these ruling bodies are in place to enforce marshal law against their own brethren. As such, you're safer as a chiropractor in front of a board of medical doctors arguing your right to practice as you both learned and believe than to be in front of a chiropractic board. I've not had any DC I know turned into the state by an MD (although I'm sure it has happened), but I've had plenty turned in by a fellow chiropractor.

4. An overwhelming lack of unity. This doesn't mean philosophical unity, technique unity, scientific unity, etc. Medical doctors don't have it; attorneys don't have it; and churches definitely don't have it. Yet, nearly all professions and movements support their own members for the greater good of their own success.

5. Severe lack of commitment. We don't work harder or smarter. All great successes stem from a willingness to do anything it takes to succeed. Anything.

I love chiropractic with a passion. However, if we're to reach a billion suffering bodies (and souls) and help them experience our version of heaven on earth, then we have to start thinking of the people who hurt and how we can best make a difference in their lives rather than our own logos and egos. (Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!... Psalm 133:1)

(Dr. Ben Lerner and Dr. Greg Loman are the founders of Teaching the World about chiropractic and authors of the first New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon best‑selling book on chiropractic: "One Minute Wellness: the Natural Health and Happiness System that Never Fails.")